We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ibec Francis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ibec, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

The first time I earned money as a photographer was during my freshman year of college. I wanted to start college with a small photography business, and since I already had a good collection of photos on my photography page @_.i.capture_, I felt qualified to do so. A few days after being featured on my college’s small business shoutout page, I received a message from someone at the college who was starting a clothing brand and needed photos of their clothes. I was excited, and naturally, I asked all the right questions: “What are the options? How would you like the photos to be taken? Do you need models, or will the clothes be photographed alone?” We settled on a day and I got to work. Although I had never done professional product photography before, I relied on my previous amateur experience and the research I did before the photoshoot. Once the photos were edited and sent to the client, I received my payment. I was thrilled—not only for the money, but for the opportunity to try something new and to develop my skills in a professional setting. I was also happy that the client was satisfied with my work, and it was rewarding to see the models wearing the clothes in the pictures.

The other time I earned money as a writer was when I published my first book, Secrets of Hollow, during my senior year of high school. I was new to the whole “author” title, but I believed people would enjoy reading it, so I shared the news with close friends and family. When my teachers and some close friends bought the book, I was shocked. At first, I planned to give them away for free since some of the characters were based on them. But when I received that first $10, I was filled with excitement. More than anything, I was thrilled that someone would read my story and dive into the world I had created. Worldbuilding was such a fun process, and I just wanted others to experience it the way I did while writing it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a photographer, filmmaker, writer, and director originally from New York City, now calling Jacksonville, FL home. My work spans a lot of creative ground. In photography, I focus on nature, portraits, landscapes, and events, always looking to capture those special, meaningful moments. As a writer, I dive into screenplays, novels, and short stories, and as a filmmaker, I direct and produce short films, mainly in drama, sentimental, and thriller genres, though I’m excited to experiment with new ones down the line. I’m especially proud of the five short films I’ve worked on, where I had the chance to team up with some amazing creatives to bring powerful stories to life. I’m also really proud of the wide range of stories and images I’ve created through my photography, each one telling its own story in a way that feels authentic and unique. What sets me apart is how I approach each project which is digging a little deeper to uncover the real essence of the story or moment, and then sharing that through my work. Whether it’s a photo, a film, or a novel, each project is a new opportunity for me to push myself and make a real connection with people through art.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One thing I think non-creatives might have a hard time understanding is how much uncertainty and self-doubt come with being a creative. When you’re putting a piece of yourself into your work—whether it’s a photo, a film, or a story—it can feel really vulnerable. You never know for sure if people will see or feel what you intended. Unlike a lot of other jobs where the outcome is more predictable, creativity doesn’t always have a clear path, and that can be tough to navigate. There are definitely moments of doubt, frustration, and even failure, but those are all part of the process. Another thing that might be hard to grasp is how much time and energy goes into bringing an idea to life. Whether it’s setting up a photo shoot, writing a script, or directing a film, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that people don’t see.

It can feel like you’re constantly refining and tweaking things, sometimes without immediate results. But that’s the beauty of it—you’re not just working toward an end product, you’re constantly learning and growing along the way.
At the end of the day, being a creative takes a lot of patience and persistence. You have to be okay with the ups and downs and trust that your ideas are worth the effort, even when things don’t go perfectly. And honestly, even though the journey can be tough, there’s nothing like the feeling of seeing your ideas come to life and knowing that your work is connecting with others.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my opinion, one of the most important things society can do to support artists and creatives is to truly value creativity as a vital part of our culture and economy. Too often, creative work is seen as secondary, but it plays a crucial role in shaping our world. Providing more community centers, affordable studio spaces, and co-working hubs designed specifically for creatives would give them the physical space they need to collaborate, create, and grow. These spaces can be key for networking, learning new skills, and exchanging ideas. It’s also vital that society recognizes creative work for what it is and not just a “hobby” or something that should be done for free. Artists and creatives deserve to be paid fairly for their work, and their contributions should be celebrated, not overlooked. One of the most powerful aspects of creativity is how it brings people together. Creating spaces, both online and offline, where artists can connect, collaborate, and share ideas helps build a stronger, more supportive creative ecosystem. This also means opening up new opportunities for artists, whether it’s access to larger platforms, exposure in the media, or collaborations with other industries. When creatives are given the space, respect, and opportunities they deserve, the entire community benefits.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://icapture.univer.se/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_.i.capture_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ibec-francis-286595303?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@IbecF

Image Credits

All Credits belong to ICAPTURE (Ibec Francis Photography)